The Opening Ceremony for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics will take place on Friday, August 5th in Rio’s Maracanã Stadium. It will air on NBC at 7:30 p.m. ET on a one-hour tape delay.

Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, and Hoda Kotb will serve as hosts, while Bob Costas opens the telecast on Friday night.

Michael Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympics history, was selected by his teammates to serve as the flag bearer for the United States during the ceremony.

Two of Brazil’s greatest strengths include their dazzling culture and it’s flair for spectacle will definitely shine during the Opening Ceremony for the Summer Olympics.

London’s extravagant show for the previous Olympics had a budget 10% larger than that of Rio’s. However, organizers promised an “original” Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Organizers have revealed samba drums, singers and dancers in a show designed to thrill the global audience. The Opening Ceremony’s highlights will come from singers such as the legendary Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil to MC Soffia, age 12. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen will also play a role.

Many details of the show have been kept a secret, but several pictures emerged from the dress rehearsal held Sunday.

Early on, Portuguese ships will cross a virtual Atlantic Ocean to Brazil’s shores followed by the explosive growth that turned Rio into what it is today. Brazil’s friendly customs and natural attractions will also play a role, such as the Amazon rain forest. In one portion, athletes will be given tree seeds which will later be planted in the new Athletes’ Park.

The grand climax of the show will be a carnival that will celebrate the arrival of more than 11,000 athletes from more than 200 countries in the stadium.

The idea is to present a strong and beautiful message that drowns out the drumbeat of negative stories that have been surrounding the Rio Olympics. Construction problems, environmental concerns, and Brazil’s economic and political issues have taken a toll on the games.